The publisher kindly sent me a physical copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.
A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks …
A first meeting.
Long-time friends.
Bitter exes.
And maybe the beginning of something new.
When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight.
Beloved authors — Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon — celebrate the beauty of six couples and the unforgettable magic that can be found on a sweltering starry night in the city.
Blackout Review
After hearing about Blackout, I have been waiting patiently for it to release. It certainly passed all my expectations and is a favourite read of the year so far.
Blackout is a short anthology with short stories by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk as well as Nicola Yoon.
New York City experiences a blackout and several teens are rekindling past relationships or are sparking new ones. The story takes place over the course of one night but connects each story and all of the characters together.
I really enjoyed every moment of this book. While it is a short anthology, the stories are really enjoyable and I love that they all intertwine in some way. Also, the fact that the book takes place over the course of one night is just a really refreshing premise.
The characters in each of these stories are fantastic. Their stories and experiences all champion diversity, acceptance as well as inclusion. It’s so important to see more of these stories and I think it’s a perfect time for these authors to shift these stories to the forefront. It truly is where they deserve to be.
While it’s hard to choose my favourite stories, I really enjoyed Angie Thomas’ story the most. It was so refreshing to see her take on a teenage romance, and I honestly think it was the best of the anthology. I also love Tiffany D Jackson’s story. While it is broken into smaller stories throughout the book, it really helps the overall flow of the book.
Blackout is such a perfect summer book — it brings so much joy, laughter and smiles into your life. These stories are all perfect in their own way, but the way they connect truly creates an enjoyable read.
Whether you’re a fan of these authors or you simply enjoy short stories, I highly recommend reading Blackout. It’s an interconnected story celebrating love, relationships, connection and above all else, being true to who you are.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5)
Favourite Quote
It’s like we’re standing in the middle of the universe, waiting for the Big Bang.
About the Authors
Dhonielle Clayton is the New York Times bestselling author of the Belles series and the coauthor of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, which was made into a Netflix original series. She is COO of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books and is owner of Cake Literary.
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Tiffany D Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Grown; Allegedly; Monday’s Not Coming, a Walter Dean Myers Honor Book and Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner; and Let Me Hear a Rhyme.
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Nic Stone is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of William C Morris Award finalist Dear Martin, Dear Justyce, Odd One Out, Jackpot, Clean Getaway and the Shuri novel series with Marvel comics.
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Angie Thomas’s award-winning, acclaimed debut novel The Hate U Give, is a #1 New York Times bestseller and major motion picture from Fox 2000. She is also the author of On the Come Up and Concrete Rose.
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Ashley Woodfolk worked in children’s book publishing before becoming an author full-time. Her novels include the highly acclaimed The Beauty That Remains and When You Were Everything.
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Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing; Everything, Everything; and The Sun is Also a Star. She is a National Book Award finalist, a Michael L Printz Honor Book recipient, and a Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner. She’s also copublisher of Joy Revolution, a Penguin Random House young adult imprint focused on love stories starring people of colour.
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Buy Blackout
Amazon CA | Amazon US | Book Depository | Indigo
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[…] today, I’m sharing a list of the best young adult anthologies that you need to read! Today, Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon […]